£256 MR2 Roadster 'gamble'
Discussion
Another MR2 Roadster owner showing their face - I really must update my thread, actually, I really should drive the bloody thing more!
Here's a picture of it up in Scotland:
MR2 Bealach na Ba by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Here's a picture of it up in Scotland:
MR2 Bealach na Ba by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
sinbaddio said:
The roof on mine is an absolute bugger to get down when it's cold - in summer it folds away very easily. Not sure if this is always the case?
If I let the interior warm up cold days it makes life a little easier. Anyhow - good luck with your purchase!
Yes, mine does that, or rather it is stiff to get up in the winter, as I leave it parked in the garage with the roof down.If I let the interior warm up cold days it makes life a little easier. Anyhow - good luck with your purchase!
I'll give it a bit more force next time I try then if thats the norm...!
Bit more progress over the last couple of days, front shocks removed and refreshed for new springs and top mounts, rears off still to be cleaned up for new springs and I checked the precats- both appear to be complete but that's only looking via the lambda bosses. At least they aren't completely destroyed so I have some confidence in using the car as is for a while! Plan is to have it in one piece for 1st Feb.. pics to follow!
Bit more progress over the last couple of days, front shocks removed and refreshed for new springs and top mounts, rears off still to be cleaned up for new springs and I checked the precats- both appear to be complete but that's only looking via the lambda bosses. At least they aren't completely destroyed so I have some confidence in using the car as is for a while! Plan is to have it in one piece for 1st Feb.. pics to follow!
Update time.
The wheels are now rattle can fresh - not perfect by any stretch but they'll do and have been wrapped in the Toyo TR1s I purchased. I'll be interested to see how these fair - the sidewalls seem quite soft, whether that will help compliancy or give me rubbish feedback I will see - I do need to remind myself of the car's purpose though - to enjoy on the road and not demand 10/10ths from it.
I fitted the Tein springs, new front top mounts, bumpstops and gaitors. Rears all seemed perfectly serviceable. Gave the shocks a spruce with some stone chip type paint too... because I had some in the garage!
Bit of a lack of pictures up to this point but i'll get some of them fitted!
New front pads fitted - I opted for EBC YellowStuff as these seem to get good reviews on the MR2 forums for road/occasional track use. I hate boiling brakes or crap pads so an upgrade here should be worth it. I also fitted the braided brake lines - the old flexis were looking a little past their best.
I have also fitted a Bluetooth/DAB head unit I bought ages ago, for the £3 it cost for an ISO lead set this should be well worth it - again, pics to follow!
Up to this point it has cost more than the £256 it was purchased for but hopefully the bits I have changed will ensure it feels fresh and stops well and for the money it is still a bargain.
Only the brakes to bleed before its back on the road at which point I will get the tracking done and hopefully get some good use out of it and sort any niggles and a new MOT out before the trip to Scotland! Oh, and it may get a wash and freshen up- and if its worth it a new roof!!
The wheels are now rattle can fresh - not perfect by any stretch but they'll do and have been wrapped in the Toyo TR1s I purchased. I'll be interested to see how these fair - the sidewalls seem quite soft, whether that will help compliancy or give me rubbish feedback I will see - I do need to remind myself of the car's purpose though - to enjoy on the road and not demand 10/10ths from it.
I fitted the Tein springs, new front top mounts, bumpstops and gaitors. Rears all seemed perfectly serviceable. Gave the shocks a spruce with some stone chip type paint too... because I had some in the garage!
Bit of a lack of pictures up to this point but i'll get some of them fitted!
New front pads fitted - I opted for EBC YellowStuff as these seem to get good reviews on the MR2 forums for road/occasional track use. I hate boiling brakes or crap pads so an upgrade here should be worth it. I also fitted the braided brake lines - the old flexis were looking a little past their best.
I have also fitted a Bluetooth/DAB head unit I bought ages ago, for the £3 it cost for an ISO lead set this should be well worth it - again, pics to follow!
Up to this point it has cost more than the £256 it was purchased for but hopefully the bits I have changed will ensure it feels fresh and stops well and for the money it is still a bargain.
Only the brakes to bleed before its back on the road at which point I will get the tracking done and hopefully get some good use out of it and sort any niggles and a new MOT out before the trip to Scotland! Oh, and it may get a wash and freshen up- and if its worth it a new roof!!
sinbaddio said:
The roof on mine is an absolute bugger to get down when it's cold - in summer it folds away very easily. Not sure if this is always the case?
If I let the interior warm up cold days it makes life a little easier. Anyhow - good luck with your purchase!
I think if you look in the handbook it states not to be lowered in 7 degree temperature or less to avoid risk of splitting the roof.If I let the interior warm up cold days it makes life a little easier. Anyhow - good luck with your purchase!
Mine never got lowered less than 16 degrees, at 25+ it was easy.
Just as a side note the Mr2 was the best car I've ever owned.
I wish you the best of luck with the car but I'll not read the thread anymore or contribute.
Reason being it kills me inside that I don't have mine anymore.
I sold mine 18 months ago and whenever I see one, either online/tv/motorway/petrol station etc I feel the same.
Honestly don't sell it unless you are really really sure or have to.
Obviously this post makes me sound like a fool but I've never felt that way about a car, mainly for sentimental reasons about my Dad.
I wish you the best of luck with the car but I'll not read the thread anymore or contribute.
Reason being it kills me inside that I don't have mine anymore.
I sold mine 18 months ago and whenever I see one, either online/tv/motorway/petrol station etc I feel the same.
Honestly don't sell it unless you are really really sure or have to.
Obviously this post makes me sound like a fool but I've never felt that way about a car, mainly for sentimental reasons about my Dad.
Std pads are fine even on track. I did half a dozen hard trackdays on 60 quid worth of pads and discs from euro car parts without any trouble. High b.p dot 4 fluid was the key to a firm pedal. Teins and as good alignment as you can get will have it outcornering lots of cars.
Get the adjustable camber bolts etc.
I miss mine, absolutely thrashed it on track and road and it never missed a beat.
Chassis brace was a good mod. When i sold it I got back most of my money also!
Get the adjustable camber bolts etc.
I miss mine, absolutely thrashed it on track and road and it never missed a beat.
Chassis brace was a good mod. When i sold it I got back most of my money also!
Agila b 6yr 6k said:
I think if you look in the handbook it states not to be lowered in 7 degree temperature or less to avoid risk of splitting the roof.
Mine never got lowered less than 16 degrees, at 25+ it was easy.
Interesting... I presume if I got one of the mohair type roofs then this wouldn't be an issue? I used to love having the roof down and the heater up on cold days in the MX-5!Mine never got lowered less than 16 degrees, at 25+ it was easy.
200Plus Club said:
Teins and as good alignment as you can get will have it outcornering lots of cars.
Get the adjustable camber bolts etc.
Chassis brace was a good mod.
These are all things on the list - Teins fitted do you remember what your alignment settings were with the camber bolts fitted?Get the adjustable camber bolts etc.
Chassis brace was a good mod.
Thanks for input!
Just max it out as much negative camber as you can get. It's not massive negative as you are limited but makes a major improvement. I had mine professionally set up on a hunter 4 wheel system for 125 quid if I recall, may be 150.
The only thing lacking then was power, on track, but handling and brakes were top notch and never a worry. I had the full under brace and a front strut brace plus new drop links and suspension bushes also.
Tbh I was daft selling it lol!
The only thing lacking then was power, on track, but handling and brakes were top notch and never a worry. I had the full under brace and a front strut brace plus new drop links and suspension bushes also.
Tbh I was daft selling it lol!
Brakes bled last night with the help of the wife and toddler, just got the undertrays to wrestle back on and get it back on the ground and driven! Next will be a new roof and something i'm not familiar with, polish! I know plenty of people enjoy it but I can't bring myself to use the phrase 'detail' so it;ll be a good old fashioned wash for me
List of other bits to do..
Camber bolts
Underbody brace
ARB bushes
Exhaust - get rid of pre-cats, hope the rest of the exhaust copes with removal/refit
drive it - if there are service bits that crop up i'll take them as they come.
...
keep an eye out for suitable 2ZZ donor vehicle.
List of other bits to do..
Camber bolts
Underbody brace
ARB bushes
Exhaust - get rid of pre-cats, hope the rest of the exhaust copes with removal/refit
drive it - if there are service bits that crop up i'll take them as they come.
...
keep an eye out for suitable 2ZZ donor vehicle.
Dirknights said:
200Plus Club said:
Is the strut top sat correctly and fully located?
Yep I made sure it had gone in the slot correctly, I think I’ve put the rear springs on the front you know....
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